Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-29
REV. MIR. BILLIARDS TROUBLE.
His Congregation Give Him Three
Months Notice to Step Down and Ont.
THEY ACCUSE HIN OF BELIEVING IN vOoDOOIsM ANp
SAY He SPRlNKLRD SALT IN THE CHURCH AISLEs
TO KEEP THE DEVIL AWAY.

SAY He sPRINKLKD SALT IN THE CHURCH AIsLEs
TO KEEP THE DEVIL AWAY.
Last Thursday evening called meeting of the
membership OF Mt. Zion Baptist church (colored)
was held to take action In reference to dissolvng
| their pastoral relations with Rev. Noah billiard,
who has served them for four years. The result
was the adoption OF resolution giving the pastor
three months notice that his services were no
longer required. This resolution was adopted by
vote OF "a to %, and was published in The
STARS Special Notices on Saturday.
There has been trouble brewing for some time
past, which is traceable to several causes. The
Congregation owned the lot at the corner OF Eth
and streets northeast. On this was small
frame church, and they had SO conducted the
TO anyone. Mr. billiard had been pastor for over
two years when the subject OF building a SUBJ
some Opposition. the present edfce was built. at
cost OF about the larger portion OF which has
not been paid. In the nature OF things
DilIard essayed the whole responsibility for this
debt, and claims that the creditors look TO HIM
The church was completed about year ago, and
it seems that the membership think that he has
been uSurptng TOO much power, and some OF the
older members claim that he has been gradually
showing them to the wall by calling on the
younger portion or the congregation to come
forward and rule the church, and thereby push
them out. This is not all for they also claim
least q believer In vOOdOOism, for some time ago
bottle was found planted near the door OF the
cnurch nlleQ with nails ana Othef articles, and
some persons assert that the pastor put the bottle
there for some mysterious purpose. Recently the
sexton, Mr.. Preston, Caught the pastor sprtnklng
salt in the aisles and asked what it was for, and
he said that 1t was to keep the devil away. 1t Is
also charged that he has not preached strict
scripture doctrine, and has frequently gone out
OF his way to abuse the Older members OF the church
from the pulpit. because they did not fully sup
port hlm and indOrse his sentiments. The result
was that deacOnS and trustees, who claimed 10
have been ignored, called meeting for Thursday
with the above result. Some Of the female mem.
bers OF the church surprised, they say, that he
does not back down from his position, in view OF
the fact that he has stated that all hc wanted
was notice to leave.
DOES NOT WANT TO RETIRE UNDER CLOUD
SevtceS were held as usual yesterday morning,
and Mr.. Diliard was present. but did not preach.
He however preached in the evening, and In the
course OF his remarks commented on tho notice
published In The STAR, and asked that Il be with
drawn, he did not desire TO retire under CLOUD
After the meeting some OF The deacons and trus-
tees said that there Was no intention OF refetiug
on him; that they could not see how 1t colid oc
SO construed, and would not, therefore, withdraw
II, and they were prepared TO part with hiIa In
peace. Mr.. billiard clal;us that the church owes
81 0O0 for which he is responsible and II forced TO
leave he will have the church sold.